I'm excited to share the news that I've accepted a new ministry position. On June 21, 2021, I'll become the next Executive Director of the White Rock Center of Hope. This big next step is possible because of so many other steps of varying sizes I've already taken. The following account is an attempt to provide a high level overview of my preparation for this step. My approach is primarily chronological utilizing a series of phases or acts. While give thanks for the hundreds of Read More …
church
Top 10 Memories of 2020 (#1906)
2020 has been quite a year! When the year started I'd never heard of COVID-19 and rarely used words and phrases that are now commonplace: contact tracing, essential workers, quarantine, pandemic, personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing, and Zoom. As I reflect on a year that offered more time for reflection than any other, the following 10 memories stand out: Vacationing with Susan in Naples, Florida to celebrate that we’ve now been married for more than half of my life Read More …
Should Churches Offer in Person Worship? (#1883)
Perhaps no issue is as controversial in church life right now as the question of whether or not to offer in person worship. Yesterday, Pew Research published the findings of their survey of 10,211 U.S. adults conducted July 13 to 19, 2020. Notably 7 of 10 (70%) respondents who regularly attend worship believe the operating status of their congregation should be open. Readiness Varies by Group Opinions on whether churches should be open (like normal or with modifications) or closed Read More …
Church Identity in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic (#1865)
This morning one of the memories Facebook thought I'd like to see was a picture of Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ's monument sign from five years ago. I took the photo while serving as this congregation's Interim/Transitional Pastor. Identity It is important that congregations have a well defined identity. When congregations know who they are and who God is calling them to become they can thrive in normal times and can adapt faithfully during atypical Read More …
Easter Miracles: Empty Tomb, Empty Churches (#1862)
After more than forty years of experience (including twenty years in parish ministry), I knew the Easter morning rhythm: sunrise service outside (usually with a modest crowd) followed by sanctuary services inside (usually with overflow crowds). These celebratory services of worship proclaimed the good news of emptiness (in the form of an empty tomb) and the joy of resurrection and new life. A New Emptiness This Easter most of the United States and much of the world is marked Read More …
Top 5 Posts of 2019 (January – June) (#1809)
I've written more blog posts during the first half of the year this year than any year since 2015. My readers have selected the following posts as the top posts so far this year based on the number of page views each has received year to date. I’m Back: My Return to the Mansfield Mission Center (March)Our Search for a Church 2.0 is Over! (May)Book Recommendations – March 2019 (March)Visiting 50+ Churches in Dallas – Fort Worth (February)Top 12 Authors: 2009-2019 Read More …
Top 10 Posts of All Time (#1769)
I started So What Faith back in 2009, and added Google analytics to the site in 2013. Based on data gathered from 2013 to present the top all time posts are Pastoral Prayer - Love (2014) Prayers of the People - Youth Sunday (2009) 12 Marks of Convergence Christianity (2012) My Visit to Next Level Church (2012) Valentine's Expectations (2013) Leaders Clear Obstacles (2015) Pulpit Plagiarism (2014) Review of Not a Fan (2011) Theology on Tap (2011) The Immigrants Creed Read More …
Social Justice Churches Don’t Exist (#1739)
The Riverside Church has recently embarked on a new social media project called Church Talk. The fourth episode was released yesterday, and focuses on social justice. "Social justice isn't something churches do; it is something that they are." Social Justice Challenge The quote above is one of many challenging statements made by the Rev. Kevin Wright, Executive Minister of Programs at Riverside Church in the five-minute video on social justice. Wright also reminds us that "Jesus was Read More …
The End of Church Weddings? (#1738)
Most people get married in a church. That is what I was told growing up and also the place I officiated most often once I entered pastoral ministry. Rapid Decline A quick Google search will yield a wide variety of data detailing the overall decline in churches or religious spaces for wedding ceremonies. I happened to come across a recent RNS article that utilized data from the popular wedding planning website called The Knot. According to their findings, Read More …
Top 5 Posts of 2017 (#1716)
2017 has been a year marked by transitions in my personal life. And, not surprisingly, posts about two of those transitions rank among the top five posts of the year here at So What Faith (ranking determined by number of page views during this calendar year among all posts made during 2017). The top five are I'm Back: My Return to Ministry Christian Alternative Facts The Immigrants Creed Our Search for a Church is Over The Least Educated Americans: Read More …